The Stovebolt Forums Forums The Shop Area Driveline Can’t operate clutch

Volkswagen used an oddball vacuum operated manual clutch on some models, possibly in tandem with a fluid drive like the old Chrysler transmissions, which was disengaged by a microswitch on the shift knob and had a controlled-bleed orfice to assure a smooth engagement of the clutch when the switch was released. Owners of those cars learned not to use the shifter as a hand rest, as just a little pressure on it would disengage the clutch.

I had one of those and ya you don’t touch the shifter or your rpm’s went up and you were in neutral .I remember there was some sort of vacuum block under the back seat because I unknowingly pulled a line off and it was hard shifting until I realized what I did.

With a little dedicated tinkering it would probably be possible to convert a single-acting air brake chamber into a vacuum assist for the clutch linkage so just a small amount of pressure on a hand lever would be needed to operate the clutch. Chevy cars had a similar vacuum assist setup on their column shifted 3 speeds in the late 1940's. Gears could be changed with nothing but fingertip pressure.
Jerry

I still leave my hand on the shifter but only on my automatic. When I was a parts manager at a VW dealer my demo was a VW with that feature and I had to get used to not leaving my hand on the shifter back then.

If you were to operate a hand clutch with your left hand and the shifter with your right, how do you steer? Just thinking out loud!

With a good wheel alignment, a vehicle will track a straight line "hands off" for quite a distance. Just don't try to shift in the middle of a turn. The 1958 Mack B-73 that I learned to drive big rigs with had two shifters. We spent quite a bit of time shifting with both hands. (without using the clutch, BTW) No, we DID NOT stick an arm through the steering wheel- - - -an unexpected bump could make the wheel spin and break something!
Jerry

I had an MG and an early Datsun with hydraulic clutches. Those were so easy to use, there were times I thought they couldn't be working correctly. Then I drove a GMC with a hydraulic clutch for a month or two that was terrible. I decided it all had to do with well-designed linkage and the right strength of return spring. I finally got the GMC to work better, but it was never as smooth as the MG and Datsun. The GMC had 2 return springs.

A vacuum operated clutch assist like Jerry mentioned could be activated by a lever located near the steering wheel similar to a turn signal switch. It could also be attached to the steering wheel, but that might be a little difficult to connect with the steering wheel needing to go 2-3 full turns. Maybe put the switch ON the shifter. I think a brake vacuum assist cylinder could be easily adapted to do the work.

Agree on a new hip……today it’s day surgery. (AKA …….in and out the same day, walk with crutches for 4-7 days)


The hip will continue to deteriorate and make every day miserable………..get it fixed and an enjoy retirement.

When I had to use a crutch for my left leg for several months I just had a stick the right length that I worked with my left hand to operate the clutch pedal, only missed once.

Ed